Ask three companies for a CCTV quote and you can easily get three very different numbers. That is not always because someone is overcharging: they are often quoting for different systems. This guide explains what actually decides the price, so you can compare quotes properly.
We don't publish price lists. Equipment prices move with the market and every property is different, so we give a fixed written quote after a free site survey.
1. Camera resolution and quality
A basic camera can show that someone walked through a door. To recognise a face at a shop entrance or read a number plate at night, you need higher resolution, the right lens and good low-light performance. The cameras that matter most, at the main door and the gate, are where better quality pays off.
2. How many days you need to record
Storage is a bigger part of the cost than most people expect. Recording several cameras continuously for 30, 60 or 90 days needs a lot of disk space. Commercial premises in Dubai and Sharjah often have to keep footage for a set number of days, so their systems need much more storage than a home system.
3. Cabling and finishing
Running cable through an existing, finished villa takes longer than cabling a new building before plastering. Hiding cables in conduit, ceiling voids and trunking adds labour, but it is the difference between a professional result and wires stapled along the walls. Long runs to gates and outbuildings may need extra switches or fibre.
4. Compliance
If your trade licence depends on a police or SIRA-compliant system, the system has to meet a specification for resolution, coverage, retention, backup power and signage, and it usually needs a maintenance contract. See Sharjah Police CCTV requirements and SIRA CCTV requirements in Dubai.
5. Brand and warranty
Hikvision and Dahua are widely used in the UAE. Premium brands such as Bosch are often specified for larger commercial projects. Warranty length and local support also differ between brands and suppliers.
6. Maintenance
An annual maintenance contract keeps cameras clean, recording checked and firmware updated. The scope depends on the number of cameras and how many visits you want each year.
How to compare quotes fairly
Ask every installer for a camera schedule: a list of each camera's position, model, resolution and what it is meant to see, plus the recorder model, total storage and how many days it will record. Then check:
- Is the hard disk included, and what size?
- Is cabling hidden in conduit or trunking, or surface-clipped?
- Is phone setup and training included?
- What warranty applies to cameras, recorder and workmanship?
- Is there an annual maintenance option, and what does it include?
Where people overspend, and where they underspend
People often overspend on the number of cameras, putting one in every room when a few well-placed cameras would cover every entry point. They underspend on the cameras that matter most: the main entrance and the gate.
Get a fixed quote
Send us your requirements using the quote form or WhatsApp, or book a free survey. We cover all of Dubai, plus Sharjah and Ajman.
Frequently asked questions
Why don't you publish fixed CCTV prices?
Because no two properties are the same and equipment prices change with the market. A price that ignores cable routes, mounting heights and recording requirements is usually wrong. We survey for free and give a fixed written quote instead.
Why do CCTV quotes vary so much?
Quotes differ in camera resolution and brand, storage size, how much cable is needed and how it is hidden, and whether the system must meet police or SIRA rules. Ask every installer for a camera schedule so you can compare like with like.
How do I get an accurate price?
Send us your requirements on WhatsApp or book a free site survey. We will confirm what you need and send a fixed written quote.